New moms and dads have it rough. It is a huge transition to go from just having to worry about yourself to keeping a tiny, fragile human alive. When you’re a new military parent, the distance from family and familiarity adds a new level of challenges and adjustment. So where do you turn when you need help navigating this new role? Enter the Fleet and Family Support Center, Army Community Services, and Child and Youth Services.
When I first became a mom, I was new to the Monterey area, far from any family. My pediatrician recommended that I contact Tricia Williams, the lactation consultant on staff at Fleet and Family, to gain more confidence with nursing. I found a whole host of new opportunities open to me as a military mom. Infant massage classes, newborn care, first foods classes—the education that I gained during those first few months was priceless.
If you are an expecting or new parent, reach out to Fleet and Family, located in the La Mesa Housing community, or Army Community Services, located at the Stilwell Community Center in Fort Ord. The New Parent Support Program, including home visits, can do wonders to help you learn to be the best parent possible for your new family. As you become a more experienced parent, the education opportunities include toddler developmental milestones, planning for a sound financial future, and individualized counseling support. Postpartum depression and anxiety are also priorities for the staff. The military recognizes that service members and their families are particularly vulnerable to experiencing increased hardship as new parents, due to an increased sense of isolation or job-related stress. These support organizations provide training, create a sense of community, and help encourage those suffering to reach out for help.
New parents are not the only ones who need support in the military community. Parents with school-age children should know about the School Liaison Officer, Elaine Vrolyks, located at Fort Ord. Her job is to assist military families as well as local school faculty and staff with addressing the unique needs of military students. Frequent moves, often to new states or countries, mean that parents must quickly acclimate to new enrollment requirements, deadlines, and options. The School Liaison Officer is there to educate incoming families about what’s available here on the Peninsula, as well as assist outgoing families with the transition to their next duty station. She also spends time training school officials on how they can further support military students, such as staffing military liaisons or accessing federal Department of Defense Education Activity grants.
New parent? Veteran parent? Contact your military support organizations to find out how they can help your family thrive. Visit www.navymwrmonterey.com to see what Fleet and Family has to offer. Visit https://presidio.armymwr.com for the latest information from Army Community Services. Follow them on Facebook at Fleet & Family Support Center Monterey and Presidio of Monterey to stay up-to-date on what is happening around the Peninsula and on base.
Katie Begley is a Navy veteran and military spouse. Katie is the advertising sales executive for the Salinas region for Monterey Bay Parent Magazine. She is the mother of an 8-month old son.
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